It's happened to all of us: You finally find a pair of jeans that fits all your bends and curves like a glove. But, unless you're runway-model tall, chances are they're a little too long and some hemming is in order. Or, just as bad, you've stepped on the hem of your best-fitting pair enough times that it's started to rip. But, rather than enlist the (pricey) help of a pro tailor, you can solve this problem with just your hands and a pair of scissors — and give your jeans a cool, lived-in look at the same time with a frayed effect.
So, you're not what you'd call a master DIY-er? For this project, you don't have to be. Just grab your denim (we went with Levi's® Slight Curve Slim Jeans), crank up some tunes, and we'll walk you through this fashion-girl trick for achieving the perfect ankle-skimming jeans. Just maybe don't choose an album you're set on hearing start to finish — with any luck, you'll have perfectly frayed jeans in five songs or less.
You'll Need:
-Fabric scissors
-Chalk
-Tweezers
-Denim (we used Levi's Slight Curve Slim Jeans for a more tailored look)
Optional:
-Seam ripper
-Pumice stone
-Razor blade
-Sandpaper
Fiskars, $16.17, available at AmazonPhotographed by Victor Prado.
Step 1: Start with ironed jeans to make sure the length is accurate. Try 'em on to triple-check the length and decide where you want to cut and fray.
Levi's, $24.90, available at Levi'sPhotographed by Victor Prado.
Step 2: Use chalk to mark the new length of your jeans (you'll cut here before fraying the new hem).
Photographed by Victor Prado.
Step 3: Using fabric scissors, cut straight across the chalk line you just drew. This will create a new, raw edge.
Photographed by Victor Prado.
Step 4: Look at the fabric up close. You'll see there are threads weaving both vertically and horizontally. (It may be easier to see this by folding up the new hem.) Using a seam ripper or tweezers, begin to pull out threads that run horizontally across the denim.
Photographed by Victor Prado.
Step 5: Continue pulling the horizontal threads until the jeans have reached your desired level of fraying.
Photographed by Victor Prado.
Step 6: If you want to give your jeans an even more lived-in look, use sandpaper or a pumice stone to rub the hem. You can do the same thing at the knees if you want to extend the distressed effect.
Photographed by Victor Prado.
Step 7: Shake out your jeans to remove any leftover bits of thread, and then give yourself a high five. You're done!
Photographed by Victor Prado.Like what you see? How about some more R29 goodness, right here?
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